Linke KR-2 N4207Z

Summary

On 18 September 2009 at about 00:15 local time, a Linke KR-2 registered N4207Z was involved in an accident near Mt. Vernon, Illinois, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 September 2009 at 00:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Mt. Vernon, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Mount Vernon Airport (MVN)

Coordinates

38.3278, -88.8586

Aircraft

Linke KR-2

Registration

N4207Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Emporia → Mt. Vernon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09CA593

1 person had minor injuries.

The inadequate preflight planning/preparation and fuel management by the pilot which led to fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power during approach. Contributing to the accident was the inoperative fuel indicator.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was en route to the destination airport when the airplane's fuel indicating rod became stuck in the full position, which it had done on previous occasions. The pilot determined, based upon his calculations, that he would have enough fuel to complete the flight. During approach to the airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and the pilot executed a forced landing on a bean field. During the landing, the airplane hit trees and impacted the field resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot sustained minor injuries. There was no usable fuel aboard the airplane. The pilot stated that he miscalculated the fuel consumption during the flight and failed to make a precautionary landing when the fuel indicating rod became stuck.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.